The Action Plan on Climate Change in the Alps The Climate Portal of the Alpine Convention: A regional node of information

Content of the Presentation 1.The Action Plan on Climate Change in the Alps 2.The Climate Portal 3. Current developments & synergies with the European Clearing House on climate change impacts, vulnerability and adaptation

1. The Action Plan on Climate Change in the Alps

- Average increase of the temperature in the Alps during the last century has been the double of the average increase of the Northern hemisphere (RSA II). - Alpine Permafrost warmed by °C - Patterns of seasonal precipitation are being modified (EEA, 2009) - For every 1°C warming the snowline will rise by about 150 m and the duration of snow cover will decrease by several weeks - Future scenarios predict that those changes will be more significant, increasing the natural risks and hazards occurrence. -Increasing human and environmental vulnerability in Alpine Communities - Even a slight rise in the probability of storms occurring could have substantial impacts of economic relevance, (i.e. Lothar Storm) - Direct and indirect effects of CC will have consequences for alpine mountain forests, including their protective function against natural hazards. - Changes in glaciers, snow cover and permafrost may induce increased floodings, ice falls and avalanches, destabilization of rock changes, or a combination of all these events - Species of flora & fauna with restricted habitats will suffer biotope loss and severe fragmentation in the event of a temperature increase of 2°C. FACTSsFACTSs IMPACTSIMPACTS

The institutional response within the Alpine Convention Alpbach Declaration on Climate Change, IXth Alpine Conference (2006) GHG Reduction : endorses the 2ºC max scenario Action Plan on Climate Change, Xth Alpine Conference (2009) International, European, supraregional and simultaneously regional response

General Objective of the Action Plan «Go beyond the international general framework to offer concrete measures that are specific to the Alps by promoting, both in terms of mitigation and adaptation, themes and measures that could be the subject of regional co-operations in the frame of the Alpine Convention, and by taking into account actions that are already in place on a national, regional and local level.»

“This Plan complements a full and complete implementation of the Protocols of the Alpine Convention by the Contracting Parties. The fight against the effects of climate change goes hand in hand with a real policy on sustainable development. It is therefore worth-noticing that some of the measures of the Action Plan materialise provisions mentioned in the various Protocols.”

How all this should translate into practice? “ The measures recommended for illustrative purposes are aimed at multiple stakeholders, either public – on a local or national level – or private, with the aim to change the attitudes to tackle climate change. The Action Plan should also bring about common projects, promote the development of concrete regional cooperations and the exchange of experiences, and support specific scientific research projects. “

Content 26 pages, 3 parts strategy (Mitigation, Adaptation, Awareness raising) 9 thematic sectors : Agriculture, Biodiversity, Energy, Forestry, Land mangement, Tourism, Transports, Water, Public awareness. 24 main objectives & more than 80 measures

PSAC obligations -Diffusion & Promotion of the Action Plan -Climate Portal -Creating a database on Good/Best practices -Indicators for implementation -Liaising with EU actors -Helping implementing in specific cases (not specified)

2. The Climate Portal of the Alpine Convention

Divided in eight sections (under revision at the moment) Synergies with the European Union: - Territorial Cooperation Projects - Good Practices Databases - Knowledge Center: financing, climate and energy portals

3. Current developments & synergies with the European Clearing House on CC impacts, vulnerability & adaptation

The work of the Platforms and working groups of the Alpine Convention: -Natural Hazards Platform (PLANALP ) -The Platform on water Management -Ecological Network Platform The interest of local and regional authorities, and civil society to participate to the implementation of the Action Plan

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